Samsung's Galaxy S4 launch appears to have been aimed at Google's Android as much as it was Apple's iPhone. If anything, Samsung's theatrical---some would say cheesy, overdone and nauseating---Galaxy S4 shindig at Radio City Music Hall made Google's Nexus efforts even more important.

On Thursday, Jason Hiner wondered if Samsung and Google were going Wintel or toward an Android divorce. Bet on divorce. It was obvious that Samsung was pushing its services over what Google's latest Android could bring to the table. In fact, many of the features of the Galaxy S4 appeared to be redundant with Google's latest flavor of Android. As James Kendrick noted, Samsung is moving farther from Android.

To wit:

S Translate sounds interesting, but also rhymes with Google translate.

The Galaxy S4 will get you directions. GPS no more! Of course, Google Navigation also gets you where you want to go.

HomeSync is your personal cloud from Samsung. So is Google.

You get the idea.

Now the Galaxy S4 has an app that can connect to a wristband and track fitness and diet. That's interesting for sure. And there are a lot of nice perks with the Galaxy S4. The business features---SAFE and Knox---may aid Samsung's bring your own device efforts.

But in the end, Samsung's latest dream phone distances the company from Google's Android. Like Amazon, Samsung has taken the OS and made it its own. That's fine, but it's unclear what happens when the latest Android comes out and there's all this customization. CNET's Roger Cheng added that Samsung already has a Key Lime problem in a month when the latest Android arrives.

Add it up and it's clear that Google's Nexus smartphones, which are designed to give you a true Android experience and all the latest updates, have become even more strategic. Samsung's Galaxy S4 launch may become an opportunity for other handset makers (perhaps HTC or LG) because some smartphone buyers are going to want the true Android experience---not the reskinned one.